Celebrity Brothers

I enjoy watching, every Sunday night, Extreme Home Make-Over. It is a feel good show, people helping people. And I always cry at the end, every time. The kids always look anxiously over at me when I cry. Like I might implode or something. Usually Cora will tear up. It's tradition. I love this show for lots of reasons, but a bonus perk is that Ty Pennington looks so much like my brother Taylor. Neither of these pictures are accurate of Ty or Tay. But they even have the same build and expressions. Taylor IS a lot hairier though. Tay's hair is cut more like Ty's now. Gosh, they even both have the same surfer-grunge style. It.is.weird.and.uncanny.

And then there is my brother Markie. Years ago, ten years ago about, Carlos and I use to watch Fear Factor religiously. Joe Rogan would drive me insane in a good way. He reminded me SO much of Markie. And these aren't good comparison pictures either of the two, but their builds and musculature was so similar. And then to listen to Joe... he was so mean to the contestants in a really funny way and that's how Markie was. He'd always make fun of you. He'd make you laugh at your own expense.

So I say to you...if you want to know my brothers any better watch these shows. Or if you want to be reminded of how cute and darling, okay basically h-o-t, my sibs are than check them out on you tube or something. It'll be a fun little snack for ya.

Throw Down

Okay, so sadly this is a very true story. Even more sadly it didn't involve any of my kids - it involved their mommie.

The kids' school had a nice assembly in honor of Veteran's Day yesterday. Cora was thrilled I was going so I could see her and Mason performing their two songs that they learned.

Perry and I filed into a row of chairs, followed by a friend from church, her son, and Luli. Behind us was another mom with two very young children. I'm sure she was there for older children participating. Next to her.... was the mega-beaver.

This lady was about mid-50. Honestly, I noticed her sour face before the program started but didn't think anything of it. She sat directly behind me. The program started.

So, the two young kids behind me were talkative. And my friend next to me has a rambunctious little boy. Both moms were doing their best to busy their kids and keep them quiet. All through the assembly, or at least the 20 minutes I was there for it, Miss Sour Grapes kept commenting on the noise. And she wasn't subtle - at all. Honestly, about every 90 seconds she'd say something under her breath. (I HATE it when people do this, just politely turn to the mom and ask her to quiet down!) But no, she kept making very rude comments out loud without speaking directly. She even sharply reprimanded my friend's son.

So this goes on. She's saying things like, "I can't believe how disrespectful everyone is being. This is ridiculous, I can't even hear what is being said. People need to take their kids out of here." Seriously, she was annoying me, shifting around in her seat, huffing and puffing, and talking all through the assembly.

About two minutes before the thrown down, the man sitting next to her said something to the effect of "calm down" or "relax". Evidently he was her father as she snipped, "I will NOT be quiet dad. This is ridiculous!"

My blood was beginning to boil. I knew I was going to confront her. I had to leave early to teach Perry's preschool class so I kept eyeing the clock to "see" as much of the assembly as possible before I gave her my two cents and had to leave. Finally, it was time.

I turned around and said, "You do realize that you are at an elementary school program right?"

MB (Mega Beast): "I'm not talking to you so you can turn yourself around."
J: "You aren't talking to me but everyone can sure hear you. You are at an elementary school which involves young kids."
MB: "You can just shut your mouth and turn yourself around."
J: "Do you realize how rude and disrespectful you are being to everyone? You made the lady next to you leave with your comments."
MB: "You are probably just saying that because she is your friend or something."
J: "No, I have no idea who that lady is, but I am sure she is here to watch her child in the program."
MB: "I am done talking to you so you can turn yourself around now."
J: "If the noise is bothering you why don't you go sit somewhere else?"
MB: "I have a seat right here. I'm not moving anywhere."
J: "Look lady, its obvious to me that your are an irritable, bitter person..."
MB: "Yeah, well you're fat."
J: "Well, I'll get right on that for ya. But I got to tell you, when I'm skinny you'll still be a bitch! Have a nice day!"
MB: "And you look butch."
J: "Whatever."

I laughed to myself down the corridor. I couldn't believe she pulled the fat/butch card. I felt like I was arguing with a 10-year old.

I'm proud of myself, whether or not I should be, of letting her have it. She reminds me of our neighbor. She also is a very bitter, negative, crabby person. I've never heard a nice or even neutral word from her mouth. She makes me look like an optimist.

It's sad to think there are people that just hate themselves that much. It was like this woman just hated people, despised humanity. She was rotten through and through. I thought it interesting that her dad never said a word during the exchange. And more interesting that the row of people behind her were smiling while we argued.

So that's my first thrown down. My only regret is that I think she thought she got me to leave. Dang it, it weighs out as a victory for her. Oh well, I still feel real good.

Observations

I came across a piece of paper when I was a mommie of only two little ones. Dated October 11, 2002. Brought back so many fun memories of when the kids were so little.

Cristian - 3 years old. LOVES animals right now especially bugs. He is enjoying Texas with all the rollie pollies and crickets. Has a bearded-dragon (lizard) named Fred. Beginning to sing "songs" of nonsense. Does his "gymnastics" of hopping, twisting, jumping, etc. Beginning to make believe, invent, and fib! Current favorite color is blue, it use to be pink. His best friend is Cora.

Cora - 11 months old. She started walking at 8.5 months. She now runs, dances, and can reverse. She adores Cristian, loves to tackle him. She is right-handed. Loves almost any food -except cottage cheese. She's a total ham - does shakes, claps, folds arms, says "amen" and "bye-bye". Very feisty, strong-willed, independent. Loves to wag her finger, especially at mom, and tell her "no-no mama". She becomes downright adamant at times! Bizarre quirk - she enjoys sucking her shoes. Loves her "cozy" and stuffed animals.

Halloween Rock Stars!

I'm not sure who had more fun...Jen dressing up the kids or the kids during Halloween.

Here is our little rock band.

It's funny how each of the kids kind of fits a role for our little rock band. Cristian would be the guitar playin' shy guy. Cora of course is the diva lead singer. Mason is the crazy drummer with the wild streak. Perry is the back-up singer/dancer.

Like mommie, like daughter

My friend Robyn pointed out the other day how much Perry's personality is like mine. I do see lots of my facial gestures in her and she loves to mimic my tone and verbal (shall we call it?) flare.

I guess I always see just how different she is from me. Mason and Cora are more like me - dramatic, moody, sarcastic, vivacious. Perry is vivacious. But she is also always happy, never without a smile, detail-oriented, cuddly. She's a great kid.

She and I were out the other day having lunch. Little Miss is a chronic talker, I mean its like a disease or something. If she isn't talking she is humming or singing. Ya know, like a Disney Princess.

So we are eating lunch and I am watching her while she was unaware. And what is she doing? The whole meal there was almost zero talking because she was watching everyone in the restaurant. There wasn't a detail that she missed - people entering/exiting, food that was ordered, accessories carried by people, etc. It was beautiful to watch. She watched and assimilated the whole room.

Just like I do.

Alphabet Project

I was at a friends house last week and saw a cute decorating idea that I informed her I was going to steal. She was okay with it because she stole it from Pottery Barn so there ya go.

She had LARGE letters, each letter of the alphabet, around the whole playroom. What made it so fun was that each letter was completely different. She said it took her a year to collect them (oh, help me because I am just not that patient). For plain letters she either decoupaged them or painted them a fun color. She even framed 3 or 4. It was so quirky and fun. and-i-must-have-it.

So I bought my first letter. The letter G.

This is where you all come in. If you are out and about and find a letter that is CHEAP (under $5) be a dear and pick it up for me or give me a jingle. I will be scouring thrift stores, garage sales, etc. My only criteria is that they are at least 8 inches tall.

Oh do be a dear for the love of all things decorated.....thanks.

Boobies

Cora and I were casually chatting last night when she got up to shut the bedroom door. This is the sign. It's about to get deep, emotional, personal, private, dramatic - all things female.

She starts right in about my boobies.

What do they feel like?.... Like soft pockets of fat, I respond.

Well, can I touch them? (Loaded question from my limited experience. Usually results in more touching right ladies?!)... Sure you can, I respond.

She notices the anatomy.

Why is there a circle? Why is the circle wrinkly? Where does the milk come out because I don't see a hole? Why is your nipple higher than everything else?

And then the question I think she was dying to ask all along...."When do I get mine?"

Do you want boobies really bad?

Yes.

Really?

Yes.

Well, you will probably start growing them when you are around ten, but they won't be as cute as mine for a long time.

She was satisfied.

I don't remember my "six" being concerned with my future boobies. I was still running outside and hating Barbie dolls that were always being pushed at me.

Daily, she reminds me of Shay. WAY ahead of the normal learning curve.

Yikes.

My Babies

Pardon the blurry picture, but isn't my necklace just too cute? I'm beginning to take this "mommie" thing seriously.

Carlos "bought" this for me. Yeah, he came home from work one day and I said, "I luve the necklace you bought me for my birthday!! It's exactly what I wanted!" Sometimes his checking account IS the perfect gift!

If you want to purchase one for yourself you can go here at www.thevintagepearl.com. They are very reasonably priced. "Carlos" only paid $41 including shipping and tax. Not bad eh?

Spiritual Matters

What?!!

You guys don't pray at the dinner table in this position?

Well, our Mason does.

It's hard to stay spiritually focused when you and your husband are laughing during the prayer.

Can I hear an" Amen"?

17 Hours

Bragg'n rights are on!

Carlos went out of town for 5 days. It wasn't exactly the BEST time to cancel our cable and rain for 4 days straight. Oh, and come down with the flu. So it was a little rough for my brood - having an usually cranky mom. I actually felt sorry for them because they had Monday off of school and basically got to spend one more day inside with bedridden mommie.

Monday afternoon we went to pick up Paco from the airport. I was so sleepy and crabby (did I mention that yet?). We arrived home and I sweetly (?) told my hubby that I was going to bed and was fairly confident I wouldn't be up until the following day.

4:04 p.m I crawled into my bed, so relieved to have a sleep where I didn't have to worry about the kids, and knives, and fire....

9:35 a.m. I rolled out of bed, very refreshed. I physically felt so much better.

Moral of story: a) 17 freaking hours is a long time to sleep, but it was wonderful, and b) don't you wish you had an awesome husband like mine to LET me sleep?

I know.

Doorbell Ditching

One of our favorite family activities is doorbell ditching. Paco and I love to watch the kids run their legs off in an effort to avoid getting caught. Law-abiding Cristian finally bent the rules after 2 years of us telling him to run across the yards after ringing the bell. He cut through 3 yards and driveways to get back to the car. In previous years, he runs down the sidewalk, to the driveway, and to the car via the front sidewalks. He's funny.

All 4 chicklets got to ditch. The each loved the thrill of the ring and run. And to my knowledge none of them got caught.

Autumn's Garland

I stole this idea from another blog. The garland is made up of 4 different fabrics and crepe leaves. It is what I classify as a "white trash" project. Basically, it means if I am able to do it AND make it turn out cute than anyone can do it. That is true of any craft/project that I do because I don't have that kind of talent. Enjoy!

33 Dolla

I went thrifting the other day. It was one of those days at the store where I kept finding great stuff every time I turned around. Thank goodness I had money that day. I so wanted Shay there to relish each moment with me like we use to do. Oh well...

It's hard to say what my favorite purchase was. I mean I L-O-V-E my dotted ceramic covered bowl. There isn't one chip on it (yet). But I also have fun plans for the framed doily. Martha Stewart can eat her heart out with my vintage vases. And I enjoy my tiny salt and peppa shakers. But I am very thrilled with the side table/breakfast tray dealie. I've been wanting one for a while now, this one is in great shape and cost me $14!! Can you believe that?! I think I am going to repaint it. So fun for me!!

Two Extremes

From time to time Cora will draw very sweet drawings expressing her love for a family member. She drew this today for her brother...

And then there are notes like this that occasionally appear on the girls' bedroom door...

Not to be outdone - this is on the boys' bedroom door.

I know eventually this will wear off, but isn't it a bit early to be starting with the sibling rivalries?

Body Parts

And there I was in the Dollar Store talking to a complete stranger about how Halloween is too gory and how I keep it "cute" for my young children when... I got a brilliant deco idea.

Perry was holding a bag of chocolate eyeballs and I thought of the hearts at home. I got them last year at HEB for fity cent. Why not make a collage of sorts of body parts? I found the skulls and bony fingers. I still am in need of life-size rubber eye balls if anyone is interested!

I LIKE it!

Damian Joseph

At last!!

Proof that I am really quilting. This is my second quilt that I made, but the first to actually be completed. It is a coin quilt (and I don't know why the pattern is called that, it just IS).

This is for Carlos' brother and wife who just had their first baby, Damian. I hope they enjoy it immensely.

It is quilted in a retro circular pattern that mimics a lot of the circles in the fabrics.

What say you my public?!

SAY WHAT?!?

Cristian
12/12/05
age 5

Cristian and mom went to pick up dad from work. He sat on Carlos' lap and grabbed his large cup of water on his desk. He eagerly gulped down all the water, set the cup down, wiped his mouth with the back of his arm and exclaimed,

"I am damn thirsty!"

Carlos and I about died laughing.

Afraspanic

Wink, wink.
This is what our kids would have looked like if I was African-American.

No where in the genetic mix am I.

Typical.

News Flash

Just so you know... I have found my creative mojo. It is screaming l-o-u-d & clear!!! (Not a great time to be put on a budget, but I'll rein it in!) Expect some fun little creations from me in the next few months. I'm so jazzed!!

Do you ever wonder...

Do you ever wonder why your clothes come out of the washing machine with holes in them? Oh, maybe it's because there was a midget pencil stabbing them to death.

Rare

I had to take a picture of this. This never happens between these two. A moment of peace and mutual enjoyment. I think in 15 years they will be great friends because they have some much in common personality-wise. Until then...I need to take pictures as evidence of hope.

Mid-Life Come Early

I hardly know where to begin with this one.

If you know my husband at all you'll appreicate this entry.

Carlos brought this home one day last week. He actually went out and purchased this little number. I stared at him and the collar-back & forth- in confusion.

Umm, he was serious too.

What is this for Paco? If you know me, I was hoping this wasn't a bedroom toy. Seriously.

He explained that he bought it for Halloween.

For one of the kids, right?

Nope. For him or me because we are all going as rock stars this year.

What?!
Who was this man?!!

First of all, he doesn't dress up for the event. I've asked several times. He went one year as a doctor and another year as a college graduate. Safe, respectable choices right? That's Carlos.

Second, when he does have ideas they are tame. Way tame. I don't know when or where he came up with this idea but it is a green light for the Cruz Clan. The pictures will be entertaining I'm sure.

I need to buy lots of black eyeliner.

(I mean guyliner.)

Mommie Genius

Periodically, I have a stroke of genius. I had this organization idea for several months but couldn't find a clear shoe holder. (Thank you very much for Ross on one of our date nights!) I think we paid a mere $7 for this bad boy. The boys' room has now been decluttered and everything is in a cute little pocket. I don't know how much Cristian enjoys this - these are mostly Mason's play things, but this has made such a big difference for our short gromit Mace. Even his cousin Ian loves to dig in the pockets for toys. It makes "clean up" easy too because they can see where things belong.

Another great use for the shoe organizer that I've seen at my friends house is for spices, microwave popcorn, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. Let me know what you use it for!

Random Pictures

The kids are always eager to take pictures whenever they see the camera out. The last time we used the camera we must have left it out on the desk, so this time it was Mason's turn to snap some random pictures. This is me a few minutes after I got home from Church checking my email.

I have to admit that these do have some artistic quality to them.

And then there's these; no idea who took them or when...

Creepy Beauty

Check out this gorgeous specimen! Our friends the Ereckson's have this fella gracing their front yard. He looks so dangerous, mean, & venomous. Sharon calls him a "garden" spider. ALL the kids were FASCINATED by him. I think he is the neighborhood attraction. Cristian didn't mind putting his hand behind him to demonstrate the size of this beauty! Yikes!

In Remembrance

This is what our lawn was graced with on September 11 of this year. It is adorable how patriotic my husband is. He puts these flags out on July 4th, Memorial Day, & Sept. 11. Cute right? He is always a little appalled that no one else has a flag out on these days.

The face of our family

Cristian was on the DS (big surprise), Cora was finishing her snack, Mace was coloring his homework, & Perry was thrilled to just be in the mix. What was I doing you ask? Why something glamorous and exotic - the dishes. So they are are yacking to each other when Perry announces that she is going to have LOTS of babies when she gets married. (I really am excited about her being the main grand baby supplier.)

Cora asks her how many babies she is going to have.

Perry holds up both hands and spreads her chubby fingers out as wide as she can. She looks at them, in awe of herself, thrilled with the prospect of all those babies. "I want ten babies in my tummy. I love babies!"

Cora's practical side steps in. "Well, you don't have to have all those yourself. You can adopt some if you want too. That's what I'm going to do. I am going to have two babies in my stomach and then adopt a third baby."

Perry's not sold. Cora finds another victim to push her ideals on. (I wonder where she gets that personality trait.)

I quickly piped in. Cristian had told me that he wants three children, so I point that out.

Cora asks him if he is planning on making all his kids because he could adopt them instead. Cristian doesn't even flinch from his game as he lays out his reproductive plans, "I am going to make 2 and then adopt 1." And...back to his game.

I ask Mason how many kids he wants to have. "Um, four." Yeah, 4 is a pretty good number, but then I suppose I am biased. Cora wants to know their method of entry into his family. Rooting for the adoption route, she prods. He really wasn't too interested in the conversation as is so he said he'd like to adopt some of his kids and refocused his coloring.

Point is, I loved this dialogue. There are so many rotten things I pass on to my kids. Like saying "crap" all the time so that they use it in school and church. Or when I'm at the end of my rope, sick of the fighting and teasing and tell them just to "pop each other and make it a good one".

But... THIS I will happily take credit for.

Back To School 2009

So, the kids went back to school on Monday, August 24. It's funny that as kids get older, they don't look forward to school as much. And as parents, the older our kids get, the more we look forward to the first day of school.

Jen started a new tradition this year...the back to school crown. We went to open house at the kids' school and Jen made these crowns for each of them to wear. They are decorated with their names (of course), stickers, pictures and doodles. They were all thrilled to wear it...except Cristian. He only wore it so we could take a picture and record the occasion. Can you blame him? Cristian's going to get beat up if he wears things like that to school!

Cristian - 3rd grade
Cora - 1st grade
Mason - Kindergarten

Vintage Cora

I bought this little diddy at Target. I couldn't resist - as I often can't with Cora and clothing. What can I say, she gets fashion. She appreciates every article of fabric I purchase and then she accessorizes it. She picked out her flower and shoes. Great eye, right?

I love this frock. It is so 50's-housewife-at-the-park. I wish they made it in my size.

I love the curve of her body especially the right ankle. She is just precious to me.

SAY WHAT?!?

Cristian
age 5.5
June 2006

When he grows up and marries Arwynn Jones - if it's okay with her - he wants to have 3 children. The first will be a boy, Pityano. The second a girl named Dani, and the third Krista.

I don't know where kids come up with these things!

These Boys

Today was a stake primary activity for the older kids. Our stake center is a zillion miles away so we toted 3 of Cristian's friends along with us to the activity.

Shane and Logan burst into my van making some sort of announcement about their deodorant they HAVE to wear and how much they HATE it. I could tell this was going to be a good drive.

We picked up Cameron and were on our way. Now let me tell you, as a mommie of boys and girls, hands down girls are the yack-ers. Except with this group of boys.

To set the scene...Shane has a booming voice. He is the most emotionally honest, upfront child I know. He is so refreshing. His brother Logan is more reserved, quite sensitive towards himself and others, but he won't let anyone steamroll him either. Cameron is all-systems-go 24/7. He is a wiry, quick little guy. His body or mouth are always in motion. It is usually both. His thoughts go so fast that his mouth can't keep up. He's always excited, animated, and happy. Then Cristian, who in this group, definitely takes a back seat. You'd have to be tenacious to hold your verbal own with these boys. He watches, listens, laughs and occasionally interjects.

We are driving south - the boys are loud, giggly, squirmish, frenetic. Thank goodness for their seat belts or there would have been much roaming about the cockpit. Conversations are jumping from Corvettes to water slides, video games to vacation spots. I am enjoying their interactions while sporadically hollering to "keep it down." None of them are phased by my behavior which means one thing: their moms yell too. Whew, that's a good sign.

I start thinking about their moms and how if we kept these boys together then this would be just one of their many car rides together. I imagined how the 4 of them would talk about each other's moms. Shane and Logan's mom would be up for anything and there would be tons of junk food or ice cream... you know the cool, fun mom. Sleep-overs should be there. Plus, they have a pin-ball arcade game. Sharon would be the relaxed, laid back mom. She'd be the one that would let an afternoon visit turn into a sleep-over and then a weekend stay. She's so laid back and accommodating. Cristian's mom would be the rule enforcer, the yeller. I'd be the one grilling each of the boys about their social lives and girls they liked. I'd make Cristian's house hugely unpopular.

I was chuckling about all this when I had a strange feeling come over me. I can't explain it nor do I know it origins. Maybe it was like a hopeful flash-forward. Of me driving these same boys around through the years. And it came to me that it has to be this way. I adore these 3 little boys. These are the boys that I want Cristian to grow with, these are the boys that he needs to be getting into innocent mischief with, scoping girls out with, attending football games with. These four boys are golden. I would so love for them to finish their childhoods together.

Then a little panic set in. That means the Erecksons & Carpenters have to stay in our lives for at least 9 more years. I was game for it, but will careers and dreams hold 3 families steady, fixed at one spot in space for nearly a decade? It seemed unlikely. But my feeling left me hopeful, that I'll have many more carpooling rides with these screaming, wild boys.

Our ride continued. We made it to the activity and piled back into the van. Same chatter and cackling ensued. I noticed these boys are on the cusp of manhood. They are still innocent enough to be entertained by childish things, but they are growing more sophisticated. The notice of expensive cars, the slight recognition of the opposite sex, sports, and technology. These boys are growing so fast! They are steadily approaching teen-hood! Eeeek!

But, graciously, to allay my mommie fears an exchange brought me back to the present. In a rare lull I asked Cameron, "So when is your daddy coming home?"

Cameron: "On Monday. He is hunting elk in Colorado."
Shane: "What? Your dad's a race car driver?"
Cameron: "No, no. He's hunting elk."
Shane: "Oh, my dad works for HP."

Needless to say I was laughing hysterically. My laughing caught the attention of all 4 and silenced them. What is so funny, they kept asking. I even had to pull over for a moment.

I guess for now these boys are still our little boys. At least they were for today.

Confession

so my husband seems to have another mistress besides little ol' me. i guess it's fair since i am entertaining two hubbys - that of carlos and his ipod.

carlos gets me and the quilting obsession.

this addiction was officially introduced by shalynn, who carlos sometimes feels he is married too as well, but that's another blog topic. all i can say is, that i dream about quilting, fabric, patterns, and designs. is that crazy or what?!

in all fairness, it was going to blow itself wide-open one day or another. i had a friend nine years ago who was a quilting proficient. she even had a quilted couch. it WAS hideous. but she was fabulous at mixing colors and prints. and i thought, "oh how nice that she is talented enough to do that. it seems fun."

and then six years ago i went through this fabric phase. i would sit for hours on the internet devouring fabrics. it was like art to me.

so that brings us to current day. shay started quilting, i gave it a try, and the disease has set in. now, i am realistic. i am a total white-trash quilter. i have zero creativity, but i can copy really well. i know with time and training the eye and brain, i will become a cute little quilter. no one great like shay or some of the other psycho crafters you find online, but special in my own little way.

long live obsessions and confessions!

Lest I Forget

I hope Perry doesn't outgrow this hobby. I think it's here to stay. She is my musical child.

She loves all the annoying instruments at Target that I'll never purchase. She is always singing throughout the day. And she always asks for the radio to be turned on in the car.

She has an ear for music. She'll hear a song once or twice and already have the chorus down. She bursts into Primary song regularly.

My favorite musical twist is her ability to sing her thoughts. This is hilarious to listen too. We crossed paths with two Target employees the other day. The one said to the other, "Yeah, I'll get right on that." We rounded the corner and there's Perry singing, "Yeah, I'll get right on that" with her own tune. Or there's the statement song, "Mason just got flicked in the mouth for saying bad words."

You name it and she'll turn it into her own little diddy. She is a cute little gromit.

"Secret" Weapon

Here I am worrying about Cora while she is away at school. THIS is so not my style. My little girl is turning more and more into a big girl at rapid intervals. She has the mannerisms of a girl beyond her years, the eye-roll of a teen, correct use of "mother-ese" with her sister, the swinging moods of p.m.s. Whatever am I going to do?

Add to that the sweet sensitivity given to her by her father.

Everyday this week I am met with a few tears, worried looks, and the statement, "I am feeling nervous about school." This is so atypical for my Cora. She is a social butterfly, the outgoing, bubbly/bossy leader. What's the deal?

She is nervous about "the secret." The secret she told a friend in kinder. And then the friend blabbed it. I thought is was a great lesson for her in friendships and gossip. But here it is biting us in the tush 5 months later. This same little girl is in her class again this year. Cora's fear is that her secret will be spread through her class. She is nervous about the impending, looming, all-consuming embarrassment that will ensue.

Morning and night she and I have discussed it this week. She has led me into a closet to talk, forced me to whisper behind closed doors, and silenced me when I used names. This is such a big deal to her. We've talked about all the possible scenarios of the "secret" coming to light. And I finally ended with the reality that it could all come out and it would indeed be embarrassing.

Life is full of embarrassing moments, awkward feelings. She wasn't satisfied.

I've done all I can do. I'll keep talking her off her emotional ledge, but we've covered it all several times.

So I'm left worrying about my little delicate tornado. And all that is left to do is use my secret weapon. I can't be there to coddle her through every life bump. So I pray her.

I pray that she is happy and safe. I pray that she and her friend get along swimmingly today. I pray that the little girl forgets Cora's secret. I pray that she is all smiles when I pick her up. I pray that when embarrassment happens she is stronger for it.

Little does she know that her trial is teaching her to be a stronger girl and me a more faithful mom.

SAY WHAT?!?

Cristian
June 2005
4.5 years

While shopping with mom at Kohl's one afternoon...

"Um, mom those pants make your butt look really big."

Nice.

Hodge Podge

Summer snapshots. a) Cora displaying her Egyptian pyramid b) Cristian doing the mummy walk. He looks SO much like his uncle Chuy in the snapshot c) Mason on the spinning puker at what we call "Spider Man Park" d) imagine this picture only in reverse. These two fought with each other ALL summer long. I'm not sure when this blissful moment even occurred!

Girls out on the Town

Noel asked what she could contribute to the household while she stayed with us for 6 weeks. Only Noel would ask such things. She doesn't realize that we feel privileged to have her stay with us. But, hey you ask and I'll put you to work. No problem!

So she was asked to take each of the kids out on a date while she was with us. The kids LOVED this idea. I thought down-time with kids would be great for Noel and they all requested ice cream with her. Noel's only vice. It was basically a win-win.

This is Cora and Noel on their date. Cora was completely jazzed. She was very meticulous about every detail of her outfit. She wanted a skirt because that is "fancier for a date." She accessorized (of course) with her flower, jewelry, and purse. She was so excited. That, in turn, made Noel so excited. Miss Christmas donned a darling pheasant skirt to be in sync with her 6 year-old fashion mentor.

Cora ate her strawberry cheesecake ice cream cone and then they went shopping for jewelry. I'm tellin' ya, Cora can hang with the best. She has this girl thing D-O-W-N.

SAY WHAT?!?

Today I am digging through the archives - spring cleaning in the summer time & found some verbal goodies.

Cristian
June 2006
5.5 years

"When I grow up I am going to be a swordfighter!"

And this nugget was from Cora's sunbeam lesson at church one Sunday. I am so grateful her teacher shared it with me!

Cora
June 2006
3.5 years

"Things that make me happy are: 1)candy, 2)candy canes, 3)mirrors and 4)dress up clothes."

29 Crodads!

My aunt Noel is the best aunt in the whole wide world!

On the 7th, me (Cristian) and Noel went crodad fishing. We caught 29 crodads by just using about 7 pieces of raw meat. I caught the smallest one. Noel caught the biggest one. The biggest one was the reddest one. I picked up about 7 crodads kind of big, but...Noel only picked up one small one. I think it was the smallest one of all. That's kind of embarassing.

When we caught a small crodad Noel would say, "It's a BABY!" and then I would think in my head,"she might scare the crodads away." We caught five baby ones and 24 big ones. Me and Noel saw a frog hopping by in the water. It hopped on a rock out of the water where I could see it. I slowly crept over to where it was and I stood on a piece of cement and I lowered myself down very slowly. I cupped my hands then I shot my hands at the frog. I had the frog but the rock was loose that it was on and the frog got away.

Noel used a hook. I had a fake crodad, but I didn't use it. I just put the meat on one of the hooks and I let it sit there. A trick is-you have to make your line go a little bit wiggly (not straight). But don't move it. Then when your line goes straight and moves around a little bit and maybe the tip of your pole goes down a little bit, then you have a crodad. That's all folks!

I converted Noel to fishing. P.S. I love my aunt Noel.

(Cristian's first post)

Silly Girl

Cora got silly one afternoon while at nana's. She said she was mimicking a scene from the cartoon version of "Robin Hood". I guess it's a secret pledge or something that kids in the movie do. Either way, she had me laughing with her antics.